If you attended Franklin’s downtown tree lighting, you likely experienced the spirit of Christmas when songwriter and recording artist Matthew West performed his latest song, “Because of Bethlehem.” “I’m excited to share this new song for the holidays,” Matthew says.
The lyrics were inspired by Max Lucado’s book of the same name. “I wanted to write a song to surprise my friend Max with words that share his book’s message of hope, peace and joy.”
This was Matthew’s fifth year hosting the tree lighting in Public Square, an occasion that draws thousands of people. “I gotta say, it’s the highlight of my year. Franklin is the most magical place at Christmastime and my family loves it.” Matthew and his wife, Emily, live in Franklin with their teenage daughters, Lulu and Delaney, and Matthew’s parents.
“A few years ago I was onstage during the tree lighting and I thought, ‘I wish the fans of my music who live around the country could experience Franklin.’ So we had an idea to invite a group of fans to spend a weekend ringing in the Christmas season ‘Franklin style.’”
This year, the weekend of December 1– 3 was chosen for the second annual “Come Home for Christmas” celebration, where fans from around the country experienced the holidays in the down-home Franklin way. “I love that instead of one concert when I come to their city, we get to hang out with 300 people for the weekend,” Matthew explains.
Festivities include a Christmas dinner with the West family, the tree lighting, a meet-and-greet and worship time. “I also do a songwriting round, we have book signings, and we do a lot of taping for the Matthew West podcast,” he says.
Guests get to enjoy a concert at Belmont University’s Fisher Center, where Matthew sings holiday classics and his original tune, “Come Home For Christmas.” Matthew wrote the song especially for his visiting fans. Lyrics include the phrase, “Follow the sound of laughter and song, leading you back to the place where you always belong.”
“I wanted to create a welcoming theme song for our unique Nashville event,” he says. The song was also used as a soundtrack for the Great American Family Network’s 2022 Christmas movie season. Tickets for next year’s Come Home For Christmas weekend will be on sale through Matthew’s website.
His 30 number-one hits, bestselling books and his grassroots ministry, “PopWe,” are the fruits of his nonstop work ethic “Sometimes I feel like Santa in one of my favorite movies, ‘Elf,’” he says. “When one project ends, I’m already working on the next one. In the movie, Santa has just finished delivering the Christmas toys when he turns to the elves and says, ‘Alright, Alright, it's been another successful year. Now it's time to start preparations for next Christmas!’“
Matthew is known as one of the most prolific songwriters in the business. “I’m a storyteller at heart and some of the greatest stories are told through music,” he says. His storytelling has garnered multiple Dove Awards, American Music, Billboard and K-Love awards, Grammy and Emmy nominations, and more. In October, he was honored with ASCAP’s Golden Note Award, presented to artists who have achieved extraordinary career milestones. Prior winners include Garth Brooks, Elton John and Stevie Wonder.
“I write songs with messages that are helpful for me and I hope they resonate with others since we’re all connected. I figure if I write what I need to hear, maybe somebody else needs to hear it too.”
His most ambitious project was developed during the pandemic, when tour buses were parked and artists had more time to create.
The double-album, My Story Your Glory was released with 22 tracks last February. The first album, My Story, is inspired by personal experiences and the stories fans have shared with him. The second album, Your Glory, is his first Gospel worship record.
“When you listen to an entire album you hear what the artist has to say beyond one three-minute song," he says. “I also want listeners to realize that each of our lives is telling a story, and we can make the most of the one story we get to tell.”
In early 2024, his seventh book will be released. It’s a daily companion that encourages readers to practice gratitude and remember how God has shown up in their lives. “Sometimes we live as though it’s ‘My story, my glory,’” Matthew says. “I’ve chased fame in some regard and I can be fooled into thinking, ‘I’m here for me.’ But we all have a greater purpose, and it’s not fame. How many times do we watch as famous people reach the top of the ladder only to feel that something is missing? It’s a good lesson for us to not climb the wrong ladder, and to set our sights on what really matters in life.” MatthewWest.com
“I write songs with messages that are helpful for me and I hope they resonate with others since we’re all connected."